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Engineering
Bothell, WA
Full-time
On-Site
Senior Software Development Engineer – Satellite Software & Firmware
Send your cover letter and resume to info@portalsystems.space with the email subject: Senior Structural Engineer — Spacecraft Systems
About the Role
About Portal
Portal Space Systems is on a mission to expand humanity’s freedom of movement in space. We’re building the spacecraft that makes that mission possible.
From our Bothell, WA headquarters, we design vehicles with the maneuverability, resilience, and adaptability needed for the next era of orbital operations. Every system we build is in service of a simple idea: space should be more accessible, responsive, and capable.
Joining Portal means stepping into a team that believes in bold engineering, fast iteration, and the power of small groups to change what’s possible. If you want your work to directly shape the future of in-space mobility, join us.
From our Bothell, WA headquarters, we design vehicles with the maneuverability, resilience, and adaptability needed for the next era of orbital operations. Every system we build is in service of a simple idea: space should be more accessible, responsive, and capable.
Joining Portal means stepping into a team that believes in bold engineering, fast iteration, and the power of small groups to change what’s possible. If you want your work to directly shape the future of in-space mobility, join us.
Responsibilities
- Develop flight software for satellite platforms, including avionics, attitude determination and control systems, power management, and onboard data handling.
- Design and implement firmware for embedded processors and FPGAs used in satellite subsystems.
- Work with real-time operating systems (RTOS), embedded Linux, and space-grade processors.
- Develop autonomous fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) mechanisms to ensure mission reliability.
- Implement and optimize spacecraft communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, UART, Ethernet).
- Perform software validation, verification, and integration with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations and satellite testbeds.
- Support pre-flight testing, launch preparations, and in-orbit operations, including remote software updates.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., ECSS, NASA cFS, DO-178C, MISRA, CubeSat standards).
- Collaborate with partner organizations on satellite software development.
- Mentor junior software engineers.
What You Bring to Portal
- Familiarity with satellite command and data handling systems, embedded Linux, and space-grade processors.
- Experience with CubeSats, small satellites, or GEO satellite constellations.
- Knowledge of flight software frameworks (e.g., NASA Core Flight System (cFS), FreeRTOS, VxWorks).
- Background in autonomous spacecraft operations and AI-driven onboard decision-making.
- Experience with secure satellite communications, encryption, and cybersecurity in space systems.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.
- 10+ years of experience in developing flight software and firmware for satellites.
- Strong proficiency in C, C++, and Python for embedded systems and satellite software.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and low-level hardware-software interfaces.
- Knowledge of satellite communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, RS-422).
- Understanding of fault tolerance, redundancy, and radiation-hardened computing for space missions.
- Experience with version control systems (Git) and modern software development best practices.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, simulators, and satellite software testbeds.
- Proven experience with flight-proven software deployed on operational satellites.
Preferred Skills & Experience
ITAR Statement
This position may involve access to technical data and defense-related materials controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled items requires that candidates be U.S. persons, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals as defined by U.S. law.
Employment is contingent upon verification of ITAR eligibility and, where applicable, obtaining any required export authorization or license.
Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled items requires that candidates be U.S. persons, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals as defined by U.S. law.
Employment is contingent upon verification of ITAR eligibility and, where applicable, obtaining any required export authorization or license.
Equal Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual.
Send your cover letter and resume to careers@portalsystems.space with the email subject: Senior Software Development Engineer – Satellite Software & Firmware Application
careers@portalsystems.space